News On Japan

Only One Month Until Hokkaido Marathon

SAPPORO - Sapporo TV Tower tested the countdown display that will signal the start of the Hokkaido Marathon, with about one month remaining before the race on August 30.

The tower's digital clock switched from its usual time display to a countdown during a rehearsal held on July 29.

The Hokkaido Marathon is Japan's only major road race held during the summer, and the Sapporo TV Tower's digital clock is used each year to announce the start.

During the rehearsal, the countdown began one minute before the scheduled start time of 8:30 a.m., allowing organizers to confirm the sequence planned for race day.

The Hokkaido Marathon will be held on August 30.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

Japan has asked for changes to an Equal Earth world map that depicts the Russian-controlled Northern Territories in the same color as Russia, prompting the map's creator to say the Japanese-language version will be revised while the English version will remain unchanged.

Nagoya was assessing the damage after record-breaking rainfall exceeding 100 millimeters in one hour struck the city on September 8, causing a river to temporarily overflow into a residential area and leaving carp and catfish stranded in roadside drains.

Large volumes of floodwater poured into the Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel in Kasukabe, Saitama Prefecture, following heavy rain on September 7, prompting the massive underground flood-control facility known as the "Underground Temple" to go into operation.

Osaka Metro plans to abolish magnetic tickets and replace them with QR code-based tickets around fiscal 2031, as declining use and the cost of maintaining conventional ticket gates accelerate the shift toward digital fare systems.

Ticket sales for the Asian Games are gathering pace with less than two weeks until the competition begins, with more than 60% of tickets sold for the opening ceremony and 31 sports as of September 7, although organizers say seats remain readily available for events including soccer and baseball.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Sports NEWS

Japan's men's volleyball team defeated Australia in straight sets on September 9 to complete the preliminary round of the Asian Championship with three consecutive victories, advancing to the knockout stage as pool winner and moving within three wins of securing a place at the Los Angeles Olympics.

Ticket sales for the Asian Games are gathering pace with less than two weeks until the competition begins, with more than 60% of tickets sold for the opening ceremony and 31 sports as of September 7, although organizers say seats remain readily available for events including soccer and baseball.

Japan's sporting calendar moved deeper into its busy autumn season on September 8, with the professional baseball pennant races tightening, Shohei Ohtani indicating that his pitching season is probably over, Japan completing an unbeaten preliminary round at the Asian Men's Volleyball Championship, and preparations accelerating for the Asian Games, the September Grand Sumo Tournament and a succession of major international events.

A school-based torch relay for the Asian Games began in Aichi Prefecture on September 7, with students and other runners set to carry the flame through 14 schools before it reaches the main venue on September 16.

Athletes competing in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games began arriving in Japan in greater numbers on September 6, with competitors from countries including Jordan and South Korea entering through Chubu Centrair International Airport in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, ahead of the September 19 opening.

The 20th FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will be held in Berlin from September 4 to 13, 2026.

Running around the Imperial Palace has become one of Tokyo's most popular fitness activities, but growing numbers of runners and pedestrians sharing narrow sidewalks are raising safety concerns and prompting calls for stronger rules and better infrastructure.

The Japan Sumo Association announced the rankings for the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on August 31, with last tournament's champion Aonishiki returning to ozeki after two tournaments and taking the second position on the east side of the rankings.